After staffing changes, Cook County PHHS aims for stability in 2026
The Cook County Public Health and Human Services Board is looking for greater stability in 2026 after a year marked by staffing turnover and organizational challenges.
The department will enter the new year with a new director, four new supervisors and six social workers who were not with the agency at the start of 2025.
Additional changes are also planned within the organization. County Administrator Kirstin Trebil-Halbersma told the board that updates will be made to policies and procedures, revenue and expense tracking, and working conditions.
“Really just solidifying the department,” 2025 PHHS Board Chair David Mills told WTIP. “I think that’s the number one priority. At the same time, we have to look to see what changes are happening to put more burden on the department.”
According to the department’s December 2025 organizational chart, PHHS still has three vacant social worker positions. Interviews are also underway for one vacant supervisor position.
Turnover within PHHS has extended back to the COVID-19 pandemic and, in some cases, earlier. Previous PHHS directors have also faced questions from the board about staffing challenges.
“We’re still, I feel like recovering from [COVID]: the burnout, the stress, and just all of the turmoil,” Mills said.
Along with hiring, the department is focused on training recently hired staff.
“We really need to get all of our staff also trained up to what their job includes, and do all the mandatory things,” Mills said. “I’m also hoping that we can build a lot more camaraderie, both in the organization and in the department.”
Mills said he has already noticed improvements.
“It’s great to see people laughing and smiling,” he said. “You don’t see that usually at the board meetings. But it’s really great to see that in the courthouse. “
Mental health services and the county’s crisis response program have also been a focus as the department enters the new year.
“We were kind of building it from scratch and trying to figure out how best to do that,” Mills said. “There are examples in other communities of the mobile crisis workers, but ours is smaller and has less funding. And less resources, and so it’s been a bit of a challenge, but I am really hopeful for that position and the coordination that can happen between law enforcement, the hospital and social workers. ”
One of the most significant changes in 2025 was the hiring of a new PHHS director, Grace Grinager. Grinager previously served as a supervisor in the department, a role she began in November 2018.
“She’s a proven leader, and she’s known by the community,” Mills said. “Those are really important strengths.”
WTIP’s Josh Hinke spoke with Mills about the department’s challenges and goals, as well as community trust during ongoing tensions between state and federal government policies. Audio of that conversation is available below.
Josh Hinke January 14, 2026
